Book Review – Buns (Hudson Valley #3) by Alice Clayton

Clara Morgan is living the dream, if you can call rebranding hotels that are desperate for a new life and running any kind of marathon a dream. Which she does. But the career she loves and the endurance races that keep her adrenaline pumping have kept her too busy to put down any roots. Growing up in foster care, she’s never been able to establish traditions of her own, which may be why she’s fascinated by the rituals that generations-old family resorts are known for. She’s especially interested in the Bryant Mountain House, and not just for their secret recipe for the yummy, gooey, can’t-get-enough-of Hot Cross Buns….

Archie Bryant, the man with the Buns, is fifth generation and one-day-owner of the charming yet run-down Bryant Mountain House in Bailey Falls, New York. He’s determined to save his family’s legacy from the wrecking ball the old-fashioned way—by gritting his teeth and doing what needs to be done. There’s no way Archie will be influenced by the new hotel branding expert his father brought in to turn one hundred and fifty years of tradition on its head just to attract a faster, younger, slicker crowd. But when some of Clara’s ideas start bringing in new, paying customers, Archie can’t deny that she may have just given him a shot at keeping his resort open.

It’s sticky, it’s messy, it’s sweet, it’s Buns.

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: May 23rd 2017 by Gallery Books

I personally am fascinated by the process of remodeling or in this case a big project like rejuvenating a classic and traditional hotel. All the details that go into such a project are mind-boggling. That’s one of the reasons I love remodeling shows, or read about main characters that flip houses for a living – I could never do this myself but I love seeing the progress and the steps that need to be undertaken.

On top of that I was literally able to see the Bryant Mountain House in front of my eyes. A mix of the Dirty Dancing hotel and the East Coast landscape. A huge sprawling building, dozens of chimneys and balconies, a labyrinth of hallways, towers, wings, corners to explore. Glorious foliage trees that turn into a golden ocean as far as the eye can see. Winding roads, majestic mountains, small towns sprinkled here and there – the very opposite of California.

I was looking forward to returning to Hudson Valley. I’ve enjoyed the last two books and have been looking forward to immersing myself into a group of people that were just so much fun to read about.

In Buns (Hudson Valley #3) by Alice Clayton the old crew was back together plus cameos from characters from the Cocktail series. A BIG Alice Clayton get together.

Archie and Clara started out explosive. Clara was there to implement changes and Archie was stoutly against it. Of course those two would bang heads, no doubt about that. But it was fun to watch them go head to head, and later kiss and makeup.

Even so it was fun to watch, something was missing.

The something special!!

It hurts to say out loud, but I lost interest. Buns didn’t captivate me. Archie and Clara had wonderful chemistry and they were really sweet together. I just got bored after awhile.

Sometimes it’s really not an issue with the writing, plot, characters, or dialogue.

It’s just me!

I’m blaming myself.

I think I would have liked to go even deeper into the project of getting a hotel back to success. More details about how to work certain budgets, compromises, designs. How to overcome certain hurdles, find solutions, and witness progress.

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Hi Corina, sorry this one didn’t totally work for you. It’s funny, because I have the opposite issue and house remodeling bores me to death. Which is why I couldn’t get into Screwdrivered, also by Clayton. I think half the book was dedicated to it. It drove me nuts, but yeah, it was a case of “it’s me, not you”. Have you read it?

I was referring to the one in Mendocino. It’s Viv’s book, Simon’s friend. But yeah, now that I think of it, there was also the house on Sausalito. And it’s funny indeed. My mother is a huge fan of remodeling houses and decoring. I must have overdosed on it growing up and am probably allergic to it now. Lol.